War Diary - September 1918

During the month the health of the battalion was good. The prevailing desease was I.C.T.
(Signed)
L Crampton Major

Commanding 9th Battalion York & Lancaster Regt

30th Section & Platoon training was commenced. 'D' Company gave a demonstration - witnessed by the other companies of a "Company in the Attack." - open warfare.
29th The Battalion rested during the day. Church services were held in the afternoon. Lt. Col. S.D. Rumbold D.S.O., M.C. took over the temporary command of the 10th Infantry Brigade. Major L. Crampton M.C. took over temporary command of the Battalion.
28th The Battalion moved by march route from BERGANA camp to billets in vicinity of VICENZA, arriving at 11 pm.
27th The Battalion moved by motor lorries from SERONA camp to BEREGANA camp near THIENE, arriving in latter camp at 12 noon.
25th, 26th The Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Battalion, 49th Italian Regiment and a portion of the 2nd Battalion, 50th Italian Regiment, and on relief, moved to SERONA camp.
20th- 24th Reciprocal artillery fire day & night. The trench system was improved and a considerable amount of wire erected on forward slope of STAFFORD HILL.
19th The Battalion relieved the 8th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment in the left front sub-sector, right Brigade left Divisional front. 'A','B' & 'C' Companies relieved during the morning and 'D' Company (Outpost) at night.
18th Officers and n.c.o's reconnoitred the left front Battalion sub-sector, right Brigade. Inspections of kit and clothing were held during the day, The Commanding Officer held a conference for all officers at 6 pm.
17th All men were bathed during the day.
16th The day was at the disposal of O.C. Companies for interior economy and improvements of hutments &c
15th The Battalion was relieved by the 8th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and moved to Brigade Support. Battalion H.Qrs were on Mt. LEMERLE: 'A' and 'B' Companies were in POLDERHOEK TRENCH and 'C' and 'D' Companies in LEMERLE SWITCH. Relief was complete by 8.30 pm.
14th Patrols recconnoitred VAISTER SPUR and GUARDS TRENCH.
13th Very fine weather prevailed. The trench system was improved.
12th The trench system was improved during the day. Reconnoitring patrols were sent out between 9.30 pm and 3am- 12/13th.
Our artillery registered on S.O.S. lines.
11th At 1 am, 'A' Company plus one platoon of 'D' Company left BRUSABO camp and proceeded to take over the outpost line of the right front Battalion sub-sector, right Brigade, left Divisional front. At 9.30 am, the remainder of the Battalion proceeded to relieve the 12th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry in the aforementioned sector. Relief was completedby 1 pm. Defensive patrols (?) each consisting of one officer and twenty other ranks were out between the hours of 9.30 pm and 3am - 11/12th
(?) was in the War Diary scan. It isn't my query. BL
10th Baths at FORAORA were allotted to the Battalion. 'C' and 'D' Companies were on the Battalion range during the day.
9th The following programme of work was carried out:--
'A' Company - Battalion range and night operations.
'B' Company - Discipline parade and Battalion range.
'C' Company - Practice attack and Battalion range.
'D' Company - Practice attack and lectures.
The Battalion Signallers took part in a Brigade Scheme.The Medical Officer held Scabies Inspections during the day. At 6pm an Officers ' Lewis Gun Class was held.
8th Baths at FORARA were allocated to the Battalion during the day. Church services were held in the morning. Officers reconnoitred the defensive system on Mt PAU. A rifle shooting competition - open to the best ten shots per Company - was held during the afternoon.
4th, 5th, 6th, 7th Three Companies fired on the range at alloted times during the day; discipline parades. platoon and company schemes were held . instruction was given in musketry, bayonet fighting, grenades and the Lewis Gun. Short lectures were delivered by O.C. Companies. One Company each night carried out a practice raid. A Lewis Gun class for L.G. n.c.o's was held each afternoon. An officers Lewis Gun class was held each evening.
3rd The battalion was relieved by the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, and moved to BRUSABO camp., being in Brigade Reserve to Division. Relief was complete by 5 pm.
2nd Very bad weather during the morning. Work on SEESAW camp was continued.
1st SEESAW camp on Mt MAGNABOSCHI was improved. Officers reconnoitred the front system of trenches in the right battalion, right Brigade, left Divisional sector. Two companies provided working parties on the communication trench and new Battalion H.Qrs in the vicinity of CESUNA SWITCH.

War Diary - August 1918

note:- During the month the health of the Battalion was good. Prevailing diseases being I.C.T. and Dysentry.
(signed) G.A. Rumbold, Lieut.- Colonel Commanding 9th Battalion York & Lancaster Regt.

27th to 31st The day was devoted to work on the new camp. Each night two Companies worked on the communication trench and new Battalion Headquarters in the vicinity of CESUNA SWITCH.
26th The Battalion moved to a new camp on MT MAGNABOSCHI.
25th Billets and environs were improved during the day. The Commanding Officer reconnoitred a new position for the Battalion in which to concentrate. The Brigadier General and Brigade Major accompanied the Commanding Officer round the post line in CESUNA SWITCH.
24th Battalion was relieved by the 8th Battalion K.O.Y.L.I. Relief was complete by 11.30 pm. Battalion H.Qrs moved to MAGNABOSCHI. 'A' and 'B' Companies to the vicinity of POLYGON TRENCH on MT LEMERLE. 'C' and 'D' Companies to CESUNA TUNNEL.
23rd Considerable increase in enemy artillery fire during the day, a large number of shells falling on the N.W. slope Mt LEMERLE.
22nd Artillery quiet during the day. Working parties were continued at night.
21st Hostile artillery fire again active, in consequence of which two companies of the 8th Battalion K.O.L.I. moved down to CESUNA TUNNEL from MAGNABOSCHI.
20th Hostile artillery very active during the day, a number of shells falling in the vicinity of CESUNA. Work on PERGHELE TRENCH was continued.
19thLittle artillery fire during the day: At night the Brigadier General and Brigade Major accompanied the Commanding Officer round the post line in CESUNA SWITCH.
18th C. of E. Service was held at 3 pm in the CESUNA TUNNEL.
17th & 18th Reciprocal artillery fire during the day. At night a working aprty from 'A' Company improved PERGHELE TRENCH, and repaired camouflage on CESUNA ROAD.
16th The Battalion relieved the 1st battalion , South Staffordshire Regt. in the CESUNA SWITCH (left Brigade, left Divisional sector): relief was complete at mid night. Battalion HQrs and 'A' Company were in the CESUNA TUNNEL, the remaining three Companies occupying the SWITCH.
15th The Battalion proceeded by mule track from CAMISINO to MT. SERONA.
14th Khaki - drill clothing was withdrawn and service dress clothing issued. The Battalion marched from BERGANA to CAMISINO.
13th The Battalion moved by march route from MONTECCHIO - MAGGIORE to BEREGANA.
1st -13th Battalion in rest billets in MONTECCHIO - MAGGIORE, where a programme of continuous training was arranged and carried out on the following general lines.At 6am daily, Battalion paraded for inspection by the Commanding Officer, after which, Companies trained independently in Arms Drill Physical Drill and Bayonet Fighting, gas Drill, Musketry Drill, Close Order Drill, Hill Training by Platoons and Companies, attack Formations & c. Grouping and Application Practices were fired on the Range. Lectures were delivered by O.C. Companies and by Specialists. Tactical Exercises without troops were carried out by Officers. Occasional working parties on new rifle range.Various sports were held and concerts arranged in the evenings